Net Control Training 2008 Focus Slide. Net Control Station TrainingCourse 2 0 0 8

Net Control Training 2008

Focus Slide

Net Control Net Control StationStation

TrainingTraining

CourseCourse2 0 0 82 0 0 8


H a n d o u t sH a n d o u t s• The Net Control Station HandbookThe Net Control Station Handbook

• Sample NCS sheetSample NCS sheet


Official Net NamesOfficial Net Names

Metro Area ARES NetMetro Area ARES Net

The PottawattamieThe Pottawattamie

County ARES NETCounty ARES NET


Pott. Co. NET Back-up Pott. Co. NET Back-up FrequenciesFrequencies

•Primary Primary –145.29 Mhz (-) Repeater in 145.29 Mhz (-) Repeater in GlenwoodGlenwood

–442.025 Mhz (+) Repeater in 442.025 Mhz (+) Repeater in MindenMinden

–147.00 Mhz (-) Repeater in Omaha147.00 Mhz (-) Repeater in Omaha These are linked together.These are linked together.

•Repeater output – 146.82 SimplexRepeater output – 146.82 Simplex


Back-up Repeater Back-up Repeater CoverageCoverage

•Circles represent 30 mile radius•Pott. Co. outlined in green•Repeater link line is dotted red


Douglas County BackupDouglas County Backup

•147.00 (+/-) Repeater in 147.00 (+/-) Repeater in OmahaOmaha

•145.450 (-) Repeater145.450 (-) Repeater

•Repeater output: 146.940 Repeater output: 146.940 SimplexSimplex


Net ManagersNet Managers

•Greg Ross, NGreg Ross, NØGRØGR–712-566-2698712-566-2698–Email: Email: n0gr@[email protected]

–Darwin Piatt, W9HZCDarwin Piatt, W9HZC–Email: Email: [email protected]@cox.net

Page 8


NCS ScheduleNCS Schedule

•Net manager will arrange Net manager will arrange the schedulethe schedule

•If you need to change the If you need to change the date you are scheduled, date you are scheduled, that is your responsibilitythat is your responsibility

•Call someone on the listCall someone on the list•Advise the Net Manager of Advise the Net Manager of the changethe change


K Ø P O TK Ø P O TK Ø N C SK Ø N C SK Ø M M RK Ø M M R

• The Pottawattamie County ARES The Pottawattamie County ARES organization vanity call signorganization vanity call sign

• Metro Area ARES Net call signMetro Area ARES Net call sign• To be used for the formal ARES netTo be used for the formal ARES net• Public service events, etc.Public service events, etc.• EOC (for Pott. Co.)EOC (for Pott. Co.)• Field Day from the EOCField Day from the EOC


The Formal ARES NetThe Formal ARES Net

Is a directed netIs a directed net Use KØNCS/KØPOT call signUse KØNCS/KØPOT call sign All communications go through NCSAll communications go through NCS NCS is the structure for the netNCS is the structure for the net Intended as a training toolIntended as a training tool Handles ARES & Club Handles ARES & Club

announcementsannouncements ““Formal written traffic” handled Formal written traffic” handled

here.here.


Break “Tags”Break “Tags”

•AnswerAnswer•QuestionQuestion•InfoInfo•PriorityPriority•MedicalMedical•EmergencyEmergency•Your Call SignYour Call Sign

page 5page 5


Break “Tags”Break “Tags”

• Precede these with the word Precede these with the word “Break” because often the “Break” because often the repeater cuts off the first syllable repeater cuts off the first syllable of a transmission.of a transmission.

• These are on the Pottcoares These are on the Pottcoares Website under FormsWebsite under Forms

• Some preambles are also Some preambles are also downloadable and in the same downloadable and in the same place.place.


Formal Written TrafficFormal Written Traffic• A numbered message with a priority A numbered message with a priority

attachedattached• Priorities:Priorities:

– RoutineRoutine- -most common, lowest priority- -most common, lowest priority– WelfareWelfare- -about someone’s health or welfare - -about someone’s health or welfare

(well being) (well being) – PriorityPriority- -time sensitive. Handle immediately- -time sensitive. Handle immediately– EmergencyEmergency- -Life and property at stake. - -Life and property at stake.

Handle immediatelyHandle immediately

• You give the “net report” in this format You give the “net report” in this format during netduring net

• More complete NTS training available.More complete NTS training available.


The Informal/Comment NetThe Informal/Comment Net

Invites commentsInvites comments•Gives people a chance to Gives people a chance to talktalk

•Can go in the direction Can go in the direction people want it to gopeople want it to go

•NCS merely facilitates NCS merely facilitates commentscomments

•Have some fun with itHave some fun with it


The Net PreamblesThe Net Preambleso State the purpose of the NetState the purpose of the Neto Include the scheduled Net Include the scheduled Net timestimes

o Gives the listener an Gives the listener an invitation to check into the invitation to check into the net.net.

o Type of netType of neto Answers most of the FAQs the Answers most of the FAQs the newcomer may havenewcomer may have


Net Business ItemsNet Business Items• Check-insCheck-ins • PriorityPriority - - - - (P)(P) • AnnouncementsAnnouncements - - - - (A)(A)• InformalsInformals - - - - (I)(I)• In and OutIn and Out - - - - (I/O)(I/O)• Formal TrafficFormal Traffic - - - - (T)(T)• RechecksRechecks - - - - (R)(R)• QuestionsQuestions - - - - (Q)(Q)• TrainingTraining - - - - (Tr)(Tr)

Page 2


Preparing to call the netPreparing to call the net Decide the check-in procedure?Decide the check-in procedure?

Locate preambles for the NetLocate preambles for the Net

Locate name listLocate name list

Gather any announcements you may Gather any announcements you may havehave

Check if your rig is operating Check if your rig is operating properlyproperly

Possibly do a “radio check”Possibly do a “radio check”

Set up to record the net (optional)Set up to record the net (optional)Page 3


Check-in RequestsCheck-in Requests

•Vary the procedureVary the procedure•Ask for somethingAsk for something •Remember to repeat your Remember to repeat your

check-in request from time to check-in request from time to time during nettime during net

•Other ideas ? ? ? ?Other ideas ? ? ? ?


Good Practices for Good Practices for NetsNets

•Start on timeStart on time•Have a solid and readable Have a solid and readable

signalsignal•Prepare for the netPrepare for the net•Equipment set-upEquipment set-up•Be flexible!Be flexible!


Phonetics for the Alphabet

A -Alpha H -Hotel O -Oscar V -Victor

B -Bravo I -India P -Papa W Whiskey

C -Charlie J -Juliet Q -Quebec X -X-Ray

D -Delta K -Kilo R -Romeo Y -Yankee

E -Echo L -Lima S -Sierra Z -Zulu

F -Fox-trot M -Mike T -Tango

G -Gulf N -November U -UniformPage 9


Sample NCS tracking sheet

Excel version on website

Page 4

Net Control Training 2008Excel Document

Actual Net Actual Net SessionSession

Page 4


Training TopicsTraining Topics• Short 2-5 minute presentations done by Short 2-5 minute presentations done by

an ARES trainer during net time.an ARES trainer during net time.• Topics include:Topics include:

– Reporting an incident via cell phoneReporting an incident via cell phone– Communications EmergencyCommunications Emergency– Hazardous materials - how to protect Hazardous materials - how to protect

yourselfyourself– The use of phonetics and black horse codeThe use of phonetics and black horse code– Go-kitsGo-kits– Use of Tactical call signs.Use of Tactical call signs.– 2 meter 2 meter simplexsimplex frequencies frequencies– Types of netsTypes of nets– Amber alertsAmber alerts– Plain language communicationsPlain language communications– Break “tags”Break “tags”– State emergency frequenciesState emergency frequencies

www.pottcoares.org Training tab


Net Report Net Report ContentContent

• Give message a number (e.g. 147 Give message a number (e.g. 147 routine)routine)

• Date of net sessionDate of net session• QNI (Total # of check-insQNI (Total # of check-ins))• QTC (Total numbered messages QTC (Total numbered messages

passed on the net)passed on the net)• QTC counts if passed on net time.QTC counts if passed on net time.• Indicate end of messageIndicate end of message

Page 8


Repeater StatusRepeater Status●●ClosedClosed- -to normal Amateur use. - -to normal Amateur use.

Only to be used for a specific Only to be used for a specific purposepurpose..

●●Semi-openSemi-open (semi-closed)- -repeater (semi-closed)- -repeater is being used for an event, but is being used for an event, but stations can make calls and move stations can make calls and move off frequency.off frequency.

●●OpenOpen- -for any normal Amateur - -for any normal Amateur use. No restrictions on repeater use. No restrictions on repeater use.use. Page 8 of

manual


The Call-up NetThe Call-up Net

• A net called to see who can help with A net called to see who can help with what equipment and what times they what equipment and what times they can helpcan help

• It is called up at the request of the EC It is called up at the request of the EC or designeeor designee

• Goal is to compile a list of the above Goal is to compile a list of the above items for the EC.items for the EC.

• Go to Stand-by or Call-up net Go to Stand-by or Call-up net preamble on page preamble on page 66 of the NCS of the NCS ManualManual

Cards


Program your radio for your Program your radio for your groupgroup

•Group #1 Group #1 145.150145.150 MHz MHz SimplexSimplex

•Group #2 Group #2 146.460146.460 MHz MHz SimplexSimplex

•Group #3Group #3 147.540147.540 MHz Simplex MHz Simplex

•Power setting: Power setting: LOWLOWBreak


Special NetsSpecial Nets• Outside of regular scheduled nets:Outside of regular scheduled nets:

– may be asked to call a “stand-by” netmay be asked to call a “stand-by” net– a Winter Storm/ Road condition Neta Winter Storm/ Road condition Net– Pride Week Parade/ MS Bike RidesPride Week Parade/ MS Bike Rides– coordinating relief efforts out in the field coordinating relief efforts out in the field

(may involve 47.42 Mhz work also).(may involve 47.42 Mhz work also).– maintaining a call-log as part of duties maintaining a call-log as part of duties

(OMMRS)(OMMRS)– taking a shift at NCS, e.g. tornado, flood, taking a shift at NCS, e.g. tornado, flood,

etc.etc.• 2 hrs with a break2 hrs with a break• 4 hours is considered max4 hours is considered max• 6 hours self-destruct sequence begins6 hours self-destruct sequence beginsPage 7 of

manual


Scenario #1Scenario #1

Station is very noisy and you Station is very noisy and you can’t get the call sign or any can’t get the call sign or any useful information from the useful information from the transmissions you are hearing transmissions you are hearing through the repeater.through the repeater.

??

Scenario # 1Scenario # 1



•Repeater is down and is Repeater is down and is not available for the Net. not available for the Net.

??




• You asked for check-ins A You asked for check-ins A thru M. Someone with a thru M. Someone with a “Z” suffix checks in out of “Z” suffix checks in out of sequence. sequence.

• What would you do?What would you do?

?



• An unidentified station with a An unidentified station with a good signal intermittently good signal intermittently transmits music during the transmits music during the Net making communications Net making communications difficult if not impossible.difficult if not impossible.

??




• Using the following information, put Using the following information, put together a net report in the form a of together a net report in the form a of a “formal message” to be given to a “formal message” to be given to the Net Manager during net time.the Net Manager during net time.

• QNI = 15QNI = 15• QTC = 1QTC = 1• Net report for net on today’s dateNet report for net on today’s date



Scenario #6Scenario #6• You get a call from the EC asking you to call a You get a call from the EC asking you to call a

“Call-up” net on the repeater from your home.“Call-up” net on the repeater from your home.

• Details are sketchy, but you know that there Details are sketchy, but you know that there has been a confirmed tornado touchdown and has been a confirmed tornado touchdown and a several block area has been affected.a several block area has been affected.

• What preparations would you make before What preparations would you make before calling the net? calling the net?

• Write your preamble for this netWrite your preamble for this net

??



Where can I go from here?Where can I go from here?

• Sunday Night ARES Net (94 & Sunday Night ARES Net (94 &

3982KHz)3982KHz)

• Iowa 75 Meter Net (3970 Khz)Iowa 75 Meter Net (3970 Khz)

• Nebraska Storm Net (3982 KHz)Nebraska Storm Net (3982 KHz)

• National Weather NetsNational Weather Nets


?? ??

?

??

?

?

?

? ?

??



Net ExerciseNet Exercise(Packet slides)(Packet slides)


• Moderators for:Moderators for:– Group #1 NCS Go to Group #1 NCS Go to ____________________ ____________________

Participants go to _______________Participants go to _______________ Net frequency: 145.150 simplexNet frequency: 145.150 simplex

– Group #2 NCS Go to _____________________ Group #2 NCS Go to _____________________ Participants ____________________Participants ____________________

Net frequency: 146.460 simplexNet frequency: 146.460 simplex– Group #3 NCS Go to Group #3 NCS Go to _____________________ _____________________ Participants go to Participants go to

________________________________ Net frequency: 147.540 simplexNet frequency: 147.540 simplex

Refer to your role CardRefer to your role Card


EXERCISE CARDSEXERCISE CARDS


You are You are

NCS for NCS for

Group #1Group #1(See exercise moderator for your (See exercise moderator for your

packet)packet)Group #1 (145.150 simplex)1


You are You are

NCS for NCS for

Group #2Group #2(See exercise moderator for your (See exercise moderator for your

packet)packet)Group #2 (146.460 simplex)1


You are You are

NCS for NCS for

Group #3Group #3(See exercise moderator for your packet)(See exercise moderator for your packet)

1 Group #3 (147.540 simplex)


Net Activities for your stationNet Activities for your station

• Volunteer to be backup NCS (prepare to Volunteer to be backup NCS (prepare to copy check-ins along with your NCS for copy check-ins along with your NCS for your group)your group)

• You have the following announcement for You have the following announcement for the net:the net:– Club meeting next Friday at 7:00PM at the Club meeting next Friday at 7:00PM at the

Red Cross in OmahaRed Cross in Omaha

• After Net closes, compare check-in After Net closes, compare check-in numbers with the Net Control Stationnumbers with the Net Control Station3 Group #3 (147.540

simplex)






• After Net closes, compare check-in After Net closes, compare check-in numbers with the Net Control Stationnumbers with the Net Control Station

Group #1 (145.150 simplex)

3






• After Net closes, compare check-in After Net closes, compare check-in numbers with the Net Control Stationnumbers with the Net Control Station3 Group #2 (146.460 simplex)


Net Activities for your station:Net Activities for your station:• Check into the net using your call sign.Check into the net using your call sign.• Ask for an informal contact with one of the Ask for an informal contact with one of the

other stations on the net. (ask if you can call other stations on the net. (ask if you can call them on the phone after net)them on the phone after net)

• Ask for a repeat of the Club meeting Ask for a repeat of the Club meeting announcementannouncement

• Announcement you have for the net:Announcement you have for the net:– 10 Kilometer run needs Amateur Radio 10 Kilometer run needs Amateur Radio

operators to monitor the progress of the run. 2 operators to monitor the progress of the run. 2 meter handhelds.meter handhelds.

– Contact me at (give a bogus email address and Contact me at (give a bogus email address and phone number)phone number) Group #1 (145.150

simplex)2







– Contact me at (give a bogus email address and Contact me at (give a bogus email address and phone number)phone number)2 Group #2 (146.460 simplex)







– Contact me at (give a bogus email address and Contact me at (give a bogus email address and phone number)phone number)2



Net Activities for your station:Net Activities for your station:• Check into the net using your personal Check into the net using your personal

call sign (indicate you have a question call sign (indicate you have a question for the net)for the net)

•Question (when NCS calls you)Question (when NCS calls you)– Does anyone know when the next VE Does anyone know when the next VE

testing session is?testing session is?

•You are the net manager. At the You are the net manager. At the end of net, be prepared to copy end of net, be prepared to copy the net reportthe net report


4








4








4


Net Activities for your Net Activities for your station:station:

•Check into the net using your Check into the net using your personal call sign personal call sign

•Recheck later in the net: You Recheck later in the net: You want to know if there is anyone want to know if there is anyone who could help you put up an who could help you put up an antenna on your roof.antenna on your roof.

5 Group #1 (145.150simplex)



•Check into the net using your Check into the net using your personal call sign personal call sign





•Check into the net using your Check into the net using your personal call signpersonal call sign





call signcall sign

•Later, recheck into the net asking Later, recheck into the net asking for a direct with (you pick one for a direct with (you pick one station on the net)station on the net)

•Ask them to go to 147.45 simplex; Ask them to go to 147.45 simplex; on 45, ask them what type of on 45, ask them what type of antennas they use for 2 meters. antennas they use for 2 meters. Then recheck back into net Then recheck back into net




call signcall sign






call signcall sign





Net Activities for your station:Net Activities for your station:• Check into the net using your personal call Check into the net using your personal call

signsign• You have an announcement to makeYou have an announcement to make• When called for announcement: Any When called for announcement: Any

newsletter articles email to (give bogus newsletter articles email to (give bogus email address)email address)

• Ask to be excused to check into another netAsk to be excused to check into another net• After being released from net go to 147.540 After being released from net go to 147.540

simplex and check into netsimplex and check into net




signsign• You have an announcement to makeYou have an announcement to make• When called for announcement: Any When called for announcement: Any

newsletter articles email to (give bogus newsletter articles email to (give bogus email address)email address)






signsign• You have an announcement to makeYou have an announcement to make• When called for announcement: “Any When called for announcement: “Any

newsletter articles email to (give bogus newsletter articles email to (give bogus email address)”email address)”




Documents

Net Control Training 2008 Focus Slide. Net Control Station TrainingCourse 2 0 0 8